Once again India A's batting failure led them to a 37-run loss against Australia A in the second T20 at the Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast. With this win, Australia A won the series as well.
Electing to bat first, Australia A didn't get the start which they are used to. The experienced campaigner, as well as, World Cup hopeful Elyse Villani fell mere 10 off 12 balls in the fourth over. Erin Burns too fell very cheaply. However, on the other hand, McGrath found the timely boundary with ease who hit five fours and a six before Hemalatha Dayalan removed her for 46.
Like McGrath, Bridget Patterson too stamped her authority with a 27-ball 37 which included 4 boundaries. Along with her, Sammy-Jo Johnson scored a quickfire cameo of 24 off 12, including 2 fours and as many sixes. Their efforts took the side to a competitive total of 145 in 20 overs. Dayalan Hemalatha, Arundhati Reddy and Anuja Patil bagged 2 wickets each while Mansi Joshi took 1 for India A.
While chasing, India A got a big blow as Annabel Sutherland cleaned up Yastika Bhatia for a golden duck, before off-spinner Molly Strano continued her magic with the dismissal of Shafali Verma who was out stumped the following over. This was the fourth time in five matches that Strano has dismissed Shafali.
Soon Priya Punia joined them in the dug-out. While India A lost three early wickets, captain Veda Krishnamurthy held the chase from one end. She scored a fighting 38 off 35 with 3 fours and a six. However, she failed a partner who could support her from the other end. Arundhati Reddy hit an unbeaten 19 off 14 but Molly Strano, Sammy-Jo Johnson and Maitlan Brown bagged 2 wickets each and restricted India A within 108.
Brief Scores:
Australia A: 145-7 in 20 overs (Tahlia McGrath 46; Arundhati Reddy 2-22) beat India A: 108-8 in 20 overs (Veda Krishnamurthy 38; Molly Strano 2-6) by 37 runs.